Sunday, May 20, 2012

Zusi Called into National Team Camp

Today, Jurgen Klinsmann named the rest of his US national team camp roster ahead of their upcoming friendlies and World Cup qualifiers. Sporting KC midfielder, Graham Zusi was one of 11 players today named to the team to round out the 27 man camp roster. Twenty-three of the players on the camp roster will make the rosters for friendlies against Scotland (5/26), Brazil (5/30), Canada (6/3), and World Cup qualifiers against Antigua (6/8) and Guatemala (6/12).

Should Zusi make the roster, he'd miss only 1 league game, next Sunday, the 27th, against San Jose. But Zusi would also be set to potentially miss 2 US Open Cup games, the team's 3rd round game vs Orlando or the KC Athletics on the 29th, and the fourth round on 6/5 should KC win their 3rd round matchup.

For some Sporting fans it may be a little surprising that Zusi has gotten a call up. He hasn't been lighting things up lately for KC in the middle of the midfield. I'm surprised that Zusi got the call over Sacha Kljestan, who just finished a strong season in Belgium, including a league title with Anderlecht. I would have thought he should have gotten the call ahead of Zusi, but it's great to see Zusi get the call up. If Zusi is gone for a while, it could explain the surprise inclusion of Peterson Joseph in last night's 18 man roster. Joseph or possibly Bobby Convey would seem to to the logical replacements for the attacking midfielder in KC's lineup.

There was no place on the camp roster for CJ Sapong, who has struggled as of late, and last night lost his starting spot to Teal Bunbury.